RIP Richard Matheson (1926-2013) - author, screenwriter, legend

The news that American author and screenwriter Richard Matheson has passed away this week (23 June) at the age of 87 has filled me with sadness. His massive body of work was hugely influential in the world of science fiction just as the late Ray Bradbury (who left us in June of last year) was in the field of fantasy fiction. 

On screen, I will forever remember Matheson as the writer of many of Roger Corman's Poe films starring Vincent Price.
 

1960 The Fall of the House of Usher (screenplay) 

1961 Master of the World (screenplay) 

1961 Pit and the Pendulum (screenplay) 

1962 Tales of Terror (screenplay) 

1963 The Raven (writer) 

1963 The Comedy of Terrors (novel - uncredited screenplay)

But my favourite work of his remains 1954's I Am Legend, which has been adapted for the screen three times – first with Vincent in 1964's underrated The Last Man on Earth (as Logan Swanson), then with Chuck Heston in 1971 classic The Omega Man, and finally in that Will Smith one. 

RIP Richard. Thanks for taking me beyond the stars and beyond the limits of my imagination.

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